Sword Coast

Lore & Background

The history of the Sword Coast is written in blood, gold, and stone. Once part of the vast empire of Netheril, the region was shattered by the fall of that magical civilization, leaving behind floating ruins and cursed artifacts that still plague travelers today. Over millennia, human city-states rose from the ashes, forming fragile alliances to fend off orcs, giants, and the encroaching darkness of the Underdark. The Coast is a melting pot where elves, dwarves, halflings, and humans coexist in uneasy peace, united by trade but divided by ancient grudges. Magic here is both a tool and a threat; the Weave flows thickly through the land, attracting wizards seeking power and monsters drawn to its energy. The region is dotted with the remnants of fallen kingdoms like Delzoun and the hidden strongholds of the drow. Despite the constant danger, the Sword Coast thrives on commerce, serving as the gateway for goods moving between the interior of Faerûn and the wider world via the Sea of Swords. It is a place of high adventure where the line between civilization and chaos is razor-thin.

In Their Own Story

The salt spray stung Elara's face as she gripped the railing, watching the jagged silhouette of Waterdeep emerge from the morning fog. Below, the waves crashed against the cliffs with a rhythm as old as the mountains themselves. She adjusted her cloak, feeling the weight of the map in her pocket—a map that promised gold and danger in equal measure. Somewhere out there, past the fishing villages and into the wilds, an ancient dragon stirred from its slumber, unaware that a band of ragged heroes was already sharpening their blades on its doorstep. The Sword Coast did not forgive mistakes, but for those brave enough to walk its shores, it offered a destiny written in starlight and steel.

Reader's Guide

The Sword Coast serves as the definitive gateway to the Forgotten Realms, a rugged theater where snow-capped peaks of the Spine of the World drop abruptly into sun-drenched, treacherous beaches. Its primary role in any chronicle is to serve as the crucible for new heroes: here, the safety of Waterdeep's stone walls gives way just miles inland to the wolf-infested wilds and the jagged, monster-haunted passes of the Sword Mountains. Whether navigating the chaotic trade routes of Neverwinter or braving the storm-lashed coasts near Luskan, adventurers find a landscape that demands both sword and wit, offering a perfect blend of civilized comfort and untamed peril.

Did You Know?

• The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide was published in 2015 by Wizards of the Coast and Green Ronin Publishing.
• Steve Kenson served as the Lead Designer for the book, focusing on balancing Realms-specific content with broad utility for players.
• In the week ending November 16, 2015, the book reached #18 on Publishers Weekly's 'Hardcover Nonfiction' bestseller list.
• The book won a Judges’ Spotlight Award at the 2016 ENnies Awards.